ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The City of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc. (TBCGF Inc.) are celebrating and honoring the life and legacy of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the 39th Annual St. Pete MLK Parade: \u201cThe Power of A Dream\u201d on January 19, 2026. Join us for a weekend that unites the city, celebrates our collective history, and looks forward to a future of continued innovation and opportunity for all.<\/p>\n
St. Pete MLK Parade Event details:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Monday, January 19, 2026
11 a.m. \u2013 2 p.m.
Parade Route: West on 1st Ave. S from 3rd St. S to 16th St. S, then south on 16th St. to 3rd Ave. S.<\/p>\n
Join us for one of the nation\u2019s longest-running MLK parades! The parade travels through downtown St. Petersburg, culminating at Tropicana Field. The parade will feature floats, marching bands, cultural performances, and a vibrant show of unity and diversity.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s parade will feature two distinguished HBCU marching bands: Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. The parade will also include a special appearance by the Wendell Scott Foundation, showcasing a historic Wendell Scott race car honoring the legacy of the first African American NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport\u2019s highest level.<\/p>\n
How to Get Involved with the Parade<\/p>\n
Volunteers \u2013 The spirit of service is at the heart of Dr. King\u2019s legacy, and volunteers are central to fulfilling that mission. Those interested in volunteering with the annual St. Pete MLK can sign up by visiting\u00a0www.stpetemlkparade.com<\/a>\u00a0or by emailing\u00a0info@stpetemlkparade.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Parade Participants \u2013 Those interested in participating in the parade can apply at\u00a0www.stpetemlkparade.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sponsors and Partners \u2013 Support and funding are essential to the success of these events and activities. For sponsorship opportunities, please email\u00a0info@stpetemlkparade.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n 45 Days of Excellence\u00a0 Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, 2026<\/p>\n As part of honoring Dr. King\u2019s legacy, the City of St. Petersburg and TBCGF, Inc., are announcing the 45 Days of Excellence campaign. The 45 Days of Excellence is a citywide promotional initiative celebrating individuals, organizations, and community groups whose work reflects the values and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n The campaign centers around digital storytelling and social media promotion, spotlighting community champions and elevating stories that strengthen St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Select live events will also be featured.<\/p>\n Also during this period, the City\u2019s MLK Communities in Action Mini-Grant Program will highlight projects that focus on unity, health, and volunteerism.<\/p>\n